Robredo kinontra si Duterte: ‘Wag i-abolish ang CHR, lalong hindi mabibigyan ng proteksyon ang mahihirap’

Vice President Leni Robredo countered President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat of abolishing the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), a threat he made during his recent state of the nation address (SONA).

Robredo, a lawyer, said that the CHR is a constitutional body tasked to prevent human rights abuses and hold those who commit such violations accountable.

“Hindi ako sang-ayon sa pag-abolish ng CHR,” she told reporters at Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

“Kaya nagkaroon ng CHR para may sandata iyung mahihirap na mayroong kakampi sa kanila, mayroong mangangalaga ng kanilang mga karapatan kapag sila ay naaabuso, kapag ang kanilang karapatang pantao ay naaabuso, ng mga kawani ng gobyerno,” she added.

“Kung i-a-abolish iyong CHR, parang lalo nating hindi binibigyan ng proteksyon iyong mga dati nang naghihirap sa ating lipunan,” Robredo added.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Thursday accused CHR Chairperson Chito Gascon of failing to be an objective head of the Commission. Panelo said Gascon should also investigate violations of other people and not be selective.

“He should have the decency to resign,” Panelo said. Gascon responded to this by telling Panelo to “focus on his job.”

The CHR chief may only be replaced once his term ends or impeached. Gascon’s term ends May 2022.

Duterte threatened to abolish the CHR during a press conference following his second State of the Nation Address last Monday.

Source:  Politiko